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How We Do It

Daily Heliski Program

Your day at Last Frontier Heli starts with the opportunity to join a morning stretch session, followed by a proper breakfast to fuel up for the day. On the first day there will be a safety briefing where we cover how to use a transceiver plus the do’s and don’ts around the heli.

Once we get airborne the real fun begins. We explore further out into the heliski tenure over the course of the day, pausing for a picnic-style lunch in the mountains, and logging anywhere from 8 to 15 runs. Let’s just say your heart and legs will let you know you’re alive. (The number of runs per day depends on the length of the runs, the ability of the group, the conditions and how much you as a group wish to ski or ride.)

Apres-ski is as celebrated as the skiing with snacks served in the bar. Jump in the hot tub or treat yourself to a massage before dinner, which is served around 7 p.m. Cheers to a nightcap or turn in and reset before another big day tomorrow.

A Day In the Life

The Backgrounder Video Series

Daily Program

Ski, eat, sleep — repeat. Scoring fresh powder is anything but ordinary, but a day in the life at Last Frontier quickly falls into a welcome routine. Here’s what to expect from wake-up to last call (depends on time of year):

7:15

Morning stretch class (optional)

8:00

Buffet breakfast

8:45

Get gear ready

9:00

Depart from lodge

9:00 - 12:00

Morning heli skiing

12:00

Picnic-style lunch in the mountains

13:00 - 16:00

Afternoon heli skiing

16:00 - 19:00

Apres-ski and snacks in the lodge

18:00

Free time for relaxation

19:00

Dinner

20:30

Bar open….

Safety

Guest safety is fundamental to everything we do at Last Frontier.

Striking a balance between showing you the time of your life and keeping you safe is our top priority. This is how we tackle it:

On an industry level: All the top heliski operators in BC have safety at the forefront of their minds. If and when something goes wrong at any one of those operations we are quick to share any lessons to be learnt amongst each other. Snow conditions and avalanche hazards are discussed twice daily amongst all mountain guides across British Columbia and the various businesses they work for. It’s a space of intense collaboration.

On a business level: As a business we’ve been at it since 1996, some of our staff a lot longer than that. We have protocols and systems in place that have been refined over the years to eliminate as much of the risk as possible, both on the snow and in the air. Training sessions are held regularly and there’s a very open forum that’s encouraged to self-assess and cross assess. It keeps everyone on their toes at all times. We consider safety at Last Frontier Heli a team sport, at Olympic level.

The Northern BC mountain wilderness can be challenging and unrelenting. Our guides meet each morning and evening to discuss terrain and snow stability. Weather forecasts and snow conditions are continuously monitored by our snow safety team. This analysis determines our terrain choice. The information is also pooled and shared across British Columbia with other mountain safety professionals. It is important to follow the directions of your guide at all times.

On a personal level: Your guides and pilots are there to take you out into the mountains and show you the time of your life but more importantly, they are there to bring you home safely. They are the backbone of what we do. They are not there to scare you, they are not there to prove how steep they can ski. Most have families and like you (we will assume) have every interest in coming home at the end of the day. They too love to ski, so when the conditions and the group’s ability allow, they will open the throttle and turn up the volume. When it doesn’t, they won’t – and you should thank them for it.

In spite of our best efforts, there are inherent risks and hazards associated with helicopter skiing that are beyond our control and that you must share with us. You will be asked to read, understand and sign a waiver / release of liability before you ski / board with us.

Safety

The Backgrounder Series

Meet Our Guides

We take no shortcuts when it comes to who we recruit: All our guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA). Occasionally we have guides that are certified under the Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA). They update and recertify their designations annually. Many are trained at the highest levels available and have the field expertise to match.

Our heliski guides are chosen not only for their skill in navigating the mountains, but also for their charisma and enthusiasm (after coffee). You’ll spend all day and often a solid part of the evening with them, so bring some good (or bad) jokes.

Most of our guides are Canadian. Some born here and some elsewhere that have purchased their lumberjack shirts, hockey skates and can now call themselves Canadian. We still have a few ‘imports’ from around the world. We intentionally have a team of very different personalities on the guiding (and lodging) team. It’s rare but if one of our staff (or guests for that matter) rubs you the wrong way, just let us know. That way we can make some changes to who you ski or ride with.

Cliff Umpleby

Director of Operations & Lead Guide

Michael Brackenhofer

Guiding Manager & Lead Guide - Bell 2 Lodge

Andre Ike

Guiding Manager & Lead Guide - Ripley Creek

Lucas Holtzman

Assistant Guiding Manager, Lead Guide - Bell 2 Lodge

Colin Moorhead

Assistant Guiding Manager, Lead Guide - Ripley Creek

Franz Fux

Lead Guide

Mark Corbett

Lead Guide

Mike Gadja

Lead Guide

Lydia Marmont

Lead Guide

Eirik Sharp

Lead Guide

Hannes Webhofer

Lead Guide

Melissa Makepeace

Ski Guide

Luis Castillo

Lead Guide

Charles Gerrard

Lead Guide

Marc Reimer

Lead Guide

Graeme White

Lead Guide

Cliff Umpleby

Director of Operations & Lead Guide

Cliff stepped into the Director of Operations role in the summer of 2016. Born in Falkirk, Scotland, Cliff moved to Canada in 1982 and has been part of the team, on and off since 1999. He brings a wealth of experience having held senior guiding and management roles at heliski operations across BC, as well as several stints in Europe. He’s climbed the formidable Mount Logan three times, and is as solid as they get in the mountains. Cliff is extremely organised and has the pivotal role ensuring that our ‘behind the scenes’ systems and protocols run smoothly. He’s a proud dad of two and spends time adventuring with them and his wife in the off-season….if he’s not mountain biking or hunting…

Michael Brackenhofer

Guiding Manager & Lead Guide - Bell 2 Lodge

Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Michael started guiding in 1991 and it’s taken him all over the world. With us since 2002, Bell 2 Lodge is his winter home. Michael is in this lead role because he relentlessly (and we mean that in a nice way) pushes both his team and himself to provide our clients with great memories. He’s one of those guys that makes it his personal mission to show you a good time. He absolutely LOVES to ski, so prepare for your legs to know about it after a day with him. He has energy like no other. After a mega day of skiing or riding, about the only time you may find him sitting down is if there’s a good single malt being served with a chunk of glacial ice. His most epic memory at Last Frontier Heliskiing remains skiing ‘Oweegee’ with Pro skier Seth Morrison (see the Oakley video). In the off season you’ll find him with his kids, fishing, ocean paddling, or riding horses at his ranch.

Andre Ike

Guiding Manager & Lead Guide - Ripley Creek

Andre lives in Squamish and has been with us since 2000. He helped open our Ripley creek operation in 2005 and has proudly called Stewart his "second winter home" ever since. He also has had the pleasure of exploring and skiing first descents in all four corners of our vast and diverse tenure. During the summer Andre guides rock climbing and mountaineering adventures and is also an examiner, certifying new guides through the Canadian mountain guiding program. One of his greatest pleasures is to travel with his family which usually includes surfing or mountain biking... a life he feels very lucky to have.

Lucas Holtzman

Assistant Guiding Manager, Lead Guide - Bell 2 Lodge

Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Lucas has been guiding since 2002 and he’s been on the Last Frontier guiding roster since 2010. He says his life changed when in 1992 he first put on a pair of skis. Patient, understanding and professional, Lucas loves spending time in the mountains. During the off season he is hard at work as a civil construction foreman in nearby Smithers, where he has put down some very firm roots with his wife and son.

Colin Moorhead

Assistant Guiding Manager, Lead Guide - Ripley Creek

Following in his father’s footsteps, Colin was exposed to mountaineering and skiing at a very young age. He’s been guiding since 1999 and built an impressive climbing resume with dozens of first accents throughout British Columbia as well as a 24 day high alpine ski traverse from Golden to Revelstoke, BC. Colin has been making turns with us since 2008 and now runs the show at Ripley Creek when Andre is not there. He’s calm positive and easy going. In the off-season, he operates an extremely busy rock climbing guiding business in his hometown of Squamish so heliskiing for him in the winter is big and a welcome change of gears.

Franz Fux

Lead Guide

As one of the founding partners and after twenty years as Director of Operations at Last Frontier Heliskiing, in 2016 Franz decided to focus more time on his family and is now ‘just’ a guide. But not just any guide. Born in Zermatt, Franz is a third generation mountain guide, whose family have been guiding since the beginning of time. His four brothers are all mountain guides an in fact scientists have recently found a guiding gene in his DNA.
Franz moved to Canada in 1976 and started his Canadian adventure with CMH as a junior guide in 1977. He went on to develop, build and manage their Adamants Lodge. In 1996 it was time to spread his wings by helping to develop, build and manage Last Frontier Heliskiing. Now with over 40 years of guiding experience and having pioneered the initial exploration of our area, he has knowledge of it like no other. He is our wise owl on the team. When he’s not in the snow, you’ll find him with his family, flying, mountain biking or fishing. And we think there could be a passion gently developing for sailing, too.

Mark Corbett

Lead Guide

Born and raised in Calgary, Mark grew up skiing the Bow Valley and Lake Louise. Mark has been actively guiding since 2007 and with us since 2013. Mark has a background in ski racing and that means he likes to go fast. In the off-season, Mark works for the British Columbia Wildfire Service as a Fire Crew Supervisor and Helicopter Operations Technician for the Provincial Rapattack Program.

Mike Gadja

Lead Guide

Born and raised in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula, Mike emerged from the mist of the falls in search of even grander views and deeper snow. After spending four winters exploring the Alps on skis, he relocated to the coast mountains of British Columbia. Mike calls Pemberton, BC home and has been guiding since 1994. When he’s not ski guiding at Last Frontier Heliskiing, Mike works at a variety of avalanche control projects in North America.. Each year after he’s had his fill of snow, you’ll find him chasing wind, waves and wayward adventure on a beach or boat somewhere on the planet.

Lydia Marmont

Lead Guide

Lydia has spent the past 15 years exploring mountain ranges throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand - her closet homeland. Her decision to turn her love of the mountain environment into a career has led to a diverse range of work; mostly guiding skiing and climbing, but with some mountain rescue, avalanche control, glaciology and mineral exploration thrown in for diversity.
Spending time in the mountains with friends new and old is something that she considers a privilege; one that she especially looks forward to when it involves a pair of skis under her feet.

Eirik Sharp

Lead Guide

Eirik lives in the Yukon, meaning he is the only guide at Last Frontier Heliskiing who gets closer to civilization when he comes to work. Originally from Norway, Eirik moved to Canada in 2000 to experience its vast and rugged mountain ranges. After working as a public avalanche forecaster for 10 years Eirik started guiding in 2013. He was drawn to Last Frontier's wild terrain and remote location. Once heli ski season is over Eirik switches the chopper for a sailboat and spends the spring guiding boat base ski-mountaineering trips in the Norwegian Arctic. Eirik is our resident ‘snow-nerd’ and is a graduate student during the off season working on avalanche science research with the University of British Columbia.

Hannes Webhofer

Lead Guide

There is only one Hannes and when you meet him, you’ll know exactly what we mean. He was born in the mountainous region of Tirol, Austria and has spent his entire life in the mountains, skiing, climbing and guiding clients. After many years of teaching skiing and ski touring in the finest locations in Austria and all over Europe, Hannes moved to Canada to find deep powder and true adventure. What sets Hannes apart? Guiding since the early 1980’s, most people would think that he’d be thinking of winding things down. But quite the opposite - his passion for guiding and skiing is only growing stronger.

Melissa Makepeace

Ski Guide

Mel started guiding for us in 2017. Previously she worked as a cat skiing guide and ski patroller. Mel is the owner of Mountain Addicts Guiding and Instruction in Fernie BC, where she is dedicated to increasing the availability of avalanche education. She spends her summers resting her legs after logging ridiculous amounts of vertical, (and dancing) at Ripley Creek, as well as teaching rock climbing in Squamish BC.

Luis Castillo

Lead Guide

Luis started his ski career in Banff National Park, ski patrolling at Lake Louise. Subsequently he spent eight years doing avalanche control work, which then led him to the back-country ski world where he earned his ACMG ski guide certification. Luis spent three seasons ski guiding in Chile/Argentina before joining Last Frontier Heliskiing. When it comes to non-skiing pursuits, you’ll often find Luis mountain biking, travelling, or honing his wood working skills.

Charles Gerrard

Lead Guide

Chucky started at Last Frontier in the 2018 season. He is a veteran of small group heli skiing, as well as other work that keeps him in remote places, allowing civilization to do its own thing at arm's length. Doing anything from remote weather station installations/maintenance to run development/gladding, to setting up and running mountaineering camps throughout the many glaciated areas of BC. He’s been snowboarding for the last 25 years, all over the world, doing whatever it took to keep feeding the addiction — competitions, coaching, instructing, guiding. You’ll even see him on a pair of skis occasionally. It’s a bit of a convoluted path but it's all in the name of adventure, exploration, and good times.

Marc Reimer

Lead Guide

Marc began skiing while studying at the University of Lethbridge in Southern Alberta. Prior to guiding, he was ski patrolling at Castle Mountain Resort. In the off season he enjoys running, CrossFit and riding his motorcycle.

Graeme White

Lead Guide

Graeme grew up on southern Vancouver Island where he played competitive club and rep rugby. After hanging up his cleats, he dove into spending time in the mountains and worked globally for 16 years within the Outward Bound System. Drawing on a love of the vast north of Canada, fostered by living in the Yukon as a child Last Frontier was a perfect fit. Graeme spends his off season working as a construction contractor, as well as teaching and guiding climbing.

Meet Our Pilots

The challenges that come with flying in the mountains, along with the precious cargo on board mean you need the right kind of pilot. A good heliski pilot must be highly focused and thrive working in this kind of intense environment. Our pilots are at the top of their game and are closely supported by a team of on-site engineers.

Consistency year to year is absolutely key. We have been working with Access Helicopters since 2012.

When the flying is done for the day, the pilots hang up their helmets, gather around the piano, sing songs Top Gun style, swoon the local ladies and burn off into the sunset on their motorbikes...In their dreams.

Michael Holcroft

Co-Owner & Pilot

Joel ‘Papa’ Valentine

Co-Owner & Pilot

Michael Holcroft

Co-Owner & Pilot

A passion for adventure is what inspired Mike to become a helicopter pilot in 2002. Through nearly two decades of honing his craft, he has built a reputation as a distinguished pilot (in the air). Originally from Calgary, Mike has grown up around the mountains. Mike has a tremendous amount flying experience in the Canadian High Arctic. That challenging and rugged environment has given him a very unique skill set. Summer sees Mike flying and managing the helicopter fleet in a variety of missions, such as Crop Spraying, Fire Fighting, and Mining sector support. Mike started with us in 2011.

Joel ‘Papa’ Valentine

Co-Owner & Pilot

Joel earned his Commercial Helicopter License in 1985 and has been at it ever since. His Bell 2 ‘legacy’ began in 1998 when he first started flying at Last Frontier with founder and friend Franz Fux - we have the one-piece-suit pictures to prove it. Fast-forward 20 years and Joel still has the same, incredible passion for the mountains and our tenure. When not in the cockpit you will find him on the slopes.

Safety Gear

Last Frontier supplies all guests with an avalanche transceiver and an ABS Airbag backpack containing essential safety items including a shovel and probe. All guests visiting Last Frontier will be trained to use the transceiver, ABS Airbag and basic rescue equipment.

Avalanche Airbags
The ABS airbag is a small backpack which contains two large pouches. By pulling a rip-cord, the pouches are filled with air and deployed from the side of the pack. The system is designed to minimize the risk of burial if involved in an avalanche.

Emergencies
Continuous radio contact between the pilots, guides and the lodge ensures communication in the event of an emergency. There are always two radios in each group. The guides carry emergency equipment in their packs, additional equipment is carried in the helicopters and there are several rescue caches within our tenure. The closest hospital and an additional helicopter base is located within 30 to 40 minutes flying time.

Avalanche Transceiver Interference
Cellular phones, GoPro cameras, electric gloves and metal objects can seriously interfere with the transmit and receive functions of your avalanche transceiver. In the event of an avalanche, if a phone or similar device is not turned OFF it will interfere with a search beacon. We recommend that all cell phones are turned off while skiing. Review Last Frontier Heliskiing’s electronic equipment policies.

Touring Boots
The use of touring boots is highly discouraged. Recent tests have shown that all makes and models of touring boots have failed release function tests. We recommend using only alpine ski boots with our skis. If you’re bringing your own skis, alpine touring pin bindings are also not recommended.

Guests who still wish to use their own equipment will be required to sign an additional release of liability before skiing. Before your visit, please review the waiver.

— Guides will track anything of note that they see during the day and share with the other guides at the evening meeting.

— The pilots are masters in their realm.

— Guides load & unload all skis & safety equipment.

— The Bell 2 Lodge boot and drying room.

— Ski tech facility at Bell 2 Lodge.

— All guests are provided with an ABS Avalanche Airbag.

— Guest packs contain a shovel and probe.

— The Ripley Creek boot and drying room.

— Ski tech facility at Ripley Creek.

— Guests receive training on the use of avalanche transceivers.

— Guests are also educated on basic avalanche rescue techniques.

— Guides monitor snow conditions on an ongoing basis.

— The guide is the first one out of the chopper after landing.

Our Fleet of Skis & Snowboards

We choose the skis in our fleet because we consider they are the best for the conditions (not because the manufacturer gives us the best deal). Most guests and guides enjoy skiing on them but we appreciate that for some finding the right ski can be like discovering the holy grail. Therefore, you’re welcome to bring your own quiver. Powder skis, poles and snowboards are included in the trip at no charge. We have a limited selection of snowboards, so please request in advance to discuss options. We encourage you to use our stock of skis and poles to avoid having to travel with gear. However, we don’t have any boots so you must bring these with you, and we strongly recommend traveling with them as hand-luggage so they arrive with you.

There’s a reason why the Super 7 HD has earned a stack of accolades. It’s perfect for skiers looking to float in powder with easy maneuverability.

Sizes: 172, 180 & 188 cm

Tip/Waist/Tail Dimensions: 140/116/130 mm

Waist-deep days have nothing on the Rocker2. A playful ski that floats in deep powder and stays solid at speed even when conditions turn ugly.

Sizes: 180, 184 & 192 cm

Tip/Waist/Tail Dimensions: 144/122/134 mm

The QST 118 lets you charge in powder on the deepest of days with its light construction, thick waist and twin rocker profile.

Sizes: 171, 178, 185 & 192 cm

Tip/Waist/Tail Dimensions: 142/118/129 mm

With a twin tip shape and lively rocker profile, the Rossignol Angus Snowboard is built for surfy, all-mountain riding.

Sizes: 154 & 156 cm

Designed with camber between your feet and rocker at the nose and tail, the Sick Stick makes for effortless float in powder and a fierce edge hold when it counts.

Sizes: 160 & 163 cm

A shorter and wider profile lets the Derby turn on a dime in the trees, while its tapered directional shape is optimal for high-speed powder slashing.

Sizes: 163 & 166 cm

A cross between powder and freestyle board constructions, the Assassin is built as a ride-anything solution for all conditions.

Sizes: 160 cm

The Rossignol XV Sushi is aggressive volume shift board has it all — wide waist, tapered shape and powerful nose for a surf-inspired ride.

Sizes: 145 cm

Designed in BC, the Khyber has long been the ride of choice for deep, coastal days. With its drastic tail taper, directional shape and shovelled nose, the back end sinks to relieve leg burn.

Sizes: 156, 160 & 165 cm

Down Days

Overall, heli skiing down days are relatively few and far between. The secret: tree skiing and lots of it. The trees provide ample options for low visibility days. We don’t offer cat-skiing backup because we don’t need it. On a seasonal average, we experience half to one full down day per week. Of course each winter is unique and throughout the season, there is no better or worse period for downtime.

Those same storms that deliver the pow can also bring weather that creates problems for flying. Down days are caused by one or more of the following factors: high winds, very poor visibility, icing or extreme avalanche hazard. Our two lodges offer a variety of activities to keep you entertained when we are grounded. The good news is that down days tend to be followed by the most epic of ski days.